Partition construction



c. J. SWANSON 1,706,470

RARTITION CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 8, 1928 2 Sheets-$heet 1 W W. U M 0w M Q 2 L W a F A 6 M M A m 5 c L Y r l Q A March 1929,

March 26, 1929.

C. J. SWANSON PARTITION CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 8, ,1928 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 kw/aid.

Patented Mar. 26, 1929.

- STATES CHARLES J. SWANSON, 0F JAMESTOWN, NEW

YORK, ASSIGNOB 0F ONESEVEN'J.H TO

ERICK -SAMPSON, ONE-SEVENTH TO FREDRICK CHARLES HERBY, ONE- SEVENTH T0 GUSTAF It. THORE-N, ONE-SEVENTH T0 LAWRENCE H. vA. JOHNSON, ONE- SEVENTH TO OSCAR J'. LARSON, AND ONE-SEVENTH T0 CHARLES E. BACKUS, ALL

OF JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK.

PARTITION consrnuo'rroni Application filed February s, 1928. Serial No. 252,894.

lhis invention relates to an improvement in metal partitions and more particularly to the construction and assembling of those known to the trade as ceiling height parti tions.

tion forms part of a ceiling height partition and comprises removable and adjustable sectional members. T

To facilitate better understanding of this invention, reference is had briefly to the construction and the assembling of metal partitions now on the market. These partitions fail in one way or another to meet the requirements demanded of them. This failure is due largely to the fact that when a partition is set up its given dimensions do not conform exactly to the dimensions of the space it is to occupy. Because of this, it has been necessary to provide partitions with some form of adjustable members whereby to overcome all discrepancies between the dimensions of the partition as constructed and the dimensions of the room. While various methods of securing adjustable partitions have been devised, it has been found in nearly every instance that the resultant parti-' tion has been too expensive to manufacture or did not adequately perform the work required of it. v

In the following specification applicant discloses a metal ceiling height partition having great adjustability of its various parts insuring a perfect union of the parts with relation to the walls, ceiling, and floor. Furthermore, the partition when assembled is held in place without the use of brackets or bolts which tend to mar the walls to which the partition is secured. f

An object of this invention is to provide a ceiling height partition including an adjustable filler member which may be extended or retracted to adapt itself to a given wall or ceiling.

Another object of this invention is to pro-.

vide a ceiling height partition, the means-of support being contained within the filler members and pilasters.

A further object of this invention is to provide a retaining means for metal partitions which, when adjusted to hold the par- In its preferred embodiment this invenframes,

tition in place, exerts an ever constant pressure through the-partition between the floor and ceiling. I

Otherobjects of this invention will appear from a consideration of the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings'which form a part thereof, and in which;

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary Viewof a portion of a ceiling height partition embodying one form of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line'22 of Fig. 1, illustrating the details of construction of the cornice member and manner of mounting;

' Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken v on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, illustrating the adjustable ceiling filler member and the manner of mounting the frame and panel thereagainst;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a pilaster and ceiling, cap and shows the manner of securing the cap in place upon I V the pilaster.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a pilaster,

parts being broken away to more clearly show the manner of securing the pilaster'in. position against the ceiling;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the pilaster and adjusting unit, taken on the line 6-6 ofFig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional View through the pilaster showing the relative position of the adjusting unit to the pilaster,

taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6; and

Fi .8 is a plan view of the plate shownin Flgs. 5 and 6, which forms part of the adjusting unitwithin the pilaster.

Referring to the drawing and more particularly to Fig. 1, this invention comprises pilasters 10, frames 11, and panels 12. The pilasters 10 extend substantially the full distance-between the floor and ceiling and have appropriate sized frames and panels secured therebetween.

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 246,312, I have shown and claimed the details of construction substantially as is shown in this application with relation to pilasters, cornice members and pilaster ca s, and therefore no claim is made specifica 1y thereto in this application. However, for the sake of a clearer understanding of this invention the general construction of this partition is given in conjunction with the new features thereof embodied in the claims.

The pilaster as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawing is comprised of a fixed portion 18 and removable face plate 19. The removable plate 19 is adapted to engage the inwardly cxtcnding'flanges, of the fixed portion 18 by means of suitably spaced clips 21. Each of the four walls of the pilasters are provided with central longitudinal recessed portions 22 in which the frame members 11 are adapted to be mounted. Since the method and manner of mounting frames and panels with relation to the pilaster forms no part of this invention, detailed description there of will not be necessary.

The cornice member 14 is provided with a longitudinally recessed portion 15 located 1n its base wall and is adapted to receive and rest upon the upper edge of the middle frame 11.

Secured t0 the inwardly extending flanges 16 of the cornice member is a cover plate 17 hold fast in anyappropriate manner as by welding. This plate is provided with a cen-- tral longitudinal recess. substantially the width of the frame members 11 and is adapted to receive therein the upper frame 11. Above the upper frame 11 is located an adjustable filler member 23. The filler mem ber comprises-movable and fixed elements 24 and 25. The element 24, being provided with a longitudinal ridge, is adapted to be mounted upon the upper face of the frame 11. The fixed member 25 engages, in a telesco ic manner, the member 24, this engagement eing against the action of the springs. The springs .26 are secured to an inner plate 27 formin part of the element 24 and are adapt-- ed to a ut the inner face of the element 25. Attention is directed to the fact that the element 24 of the filler member 23 is of a width such that the ends thereof may enter the recesses 22 in adjacent ilasters. The fixed member 25, however, eing the full width of the pilaster wall is adapted to abut said pilaster and is dependent upon the element 24 for its alignment. I

In order to conceal the joint between the fixed member 25 and the ad'acent pilasters, a pilaster plate 29 is provi ed. Referring to Fig. 4 of the drawing, the plate 29 is shown having a clip 30 secured thereto. The clip is provided with an inwardly and upwardly extending flanged portion 31 which termlnates in a right angle flange 32. A flange 34 is pressed out of the central portion of the pilaster wall and provides a pocket 35. The clip 30, by means of flanges 31 and 32, is

adapted to frictionally enga e the flange 34 upon entering the pocket 35 t us securing the plate 29 against the face of the pilaster.

Within the pilaster 10, and near the upper be communicated to the end thereof, is provided an adjustable retaining unit 37. This unit comprises a bolt '39 having a head 40 and threaded shank 41. A nut 43 threadably engages the shank 41 and is adapted to retain a spring 45 in place thereon. The spring 45 is provided with upper and lower collars 46 and 47. These collars being identical in construction are each formed with a central opening 48 and 49 therethrough, the diameter of the openings being suflicient to permit the free passage of the shank 41 of the bolt. The circumferential edge of the collars 46 and 47 is flanged at right angles to provide annular walls 50 and 51. The uppermost and lowermost coils of the spring 45 are adapted to rest against collars 46 and 47 respectively. Within the pilaster, and at the extreme upper end thereof, is located a plate 52. This plate, substantially rectangular in shape, is adapted to slidably engage the inner face of each of the four walls of the pilaster. To prevent the plate from tilting and becoming wedged, right an gle flanges 53 are provided. The flanges 53 of the plate 52, as shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 8, are each provided with central cut away portions 54 by means of which feet 55 are formed in each corner of the plate. The wall 56 of the plate 52 has an opening 57 therethrough defined b walls 58. The walls 58 are tapered to provi e a somewhat conical shape to said 0 ening. Since the lower end of the opening 5 is of a greater diameter and the upper end of the' opening is of a smaller diameter than that of the shank 41, said shank may partially enter the opening 57. -When the shank has entered'the opening and abuts the walls 58, any further movement thereof will a plate 52 and tend to force it upwardly. a

The retaining unit 37 above described is supported and guided by plates 60 and 61. The dplate 60 comprises flan ed ends 63, Secure in any way as by welding, to the inner faces of opposite walls of the pilaster. The base wall 64 of the plate is provided with a central annular opening 65, said 0 ening being of suflicient diameter to permlt the free entrance and movement of the shank 41 of the bolt. The plate 61 is similarly construct ed, having right angle flanges 67 secured to the inner faces of opposite walls of the pilasters in any suitable manner as by welding. The base wall 68 of this plate is provided with a central annular opening 69 of sufficient diameter to permit the free passage of the shank-41 therethrou h. To assemble a ceiling eight partition embodying the construction disclosed in .this application, the following order is to be observed. The pilasters, each consistin of the fixed member 18, are first set up. T e location of each pilaster is determined in accordance with the size and general layout of the partition. In as muchas each pilaster has -'in the plate 52 until it is stopped :It is obvious that been built so that it will lack a fraction of pilaster is raised into proper position, to secure it. This is accomplished by means of the retaining unit 37 which, having previously been secured within the fixed member 18, may now be adjusted to retain the pilaster in its aligned position. The adjustment of the retaining unit 37 is accomplished by turning the head '40 of the bolt 39 in a clockwise direction. Since the threaded shank 41 of the bolt is in engagement with the nut 43, rotating the bolt will cause it to move upwardly through said nut. As this movement is continued, the end of the shank 41 will enter the enlarged portion of the opening 57 rom further movement therein by the tapered walls 58. From this point on the bolt will carry with it the plate 52 in its upward movement until said plate reaches and abuts the ceiling. further turning of the bolt 39 willnot tend to force the plate 52 into the ceiling but will start the nut 43 in a downward travel upon the shank '41. As the nut 43 travels downwardly it increases an already slight tension upon the spring 45. The spring may continue to be compressed by the downward travel of the nut 43 until it reaches its limit of compression as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing. When the bolt 39 has been turned .sufliciently to force the feet 54 of the plate 52 into engagement in and the nut 43 downwardly upon the shank 41 to completely compress'the spring 45, the pilaster will be rigidly held in position. A. slight initial tension of the spring against the nut 43 prevents said nut from turning with the bolt when adjustment is taking place.

Attention is directedto the fact that the unit 37, when adjusted as above described, creates through the pilaster, between the floor and ceiling, an expanding pressure, that is, the pilaster is close proximity with the floor and the movable portion thereof, namely, the plate 52, is forced into and held in engagement with the ceiling. Pressure applied in this manner has been found to be sufficient to retain an support the pilaster against disalignment with many times the actual load requirements thereon. It is common knowledge that metal, when subjected to changes in temperature, will expand or contract and since the pilaster is not in actual engagement with both floor and ceiling, it may expand .without buckling 'or may contract without becoming loosened from its aligned position.

Inasmuch as the pilaster face plates 19 have not as yet been pressed into positlon upon the fixed portion 18, the frames 11, having secured therein appropriate panels 12, may be mounted between adjacent pilasters in a manwith the ceil forced downwardly into complished ner such that the ends thereof will be engaged within the recesses 22 of the pilasters. The lowermost frame is first located with relation to the pilasters, the intermediate frame being next mounted in a manner similar to the lowermost frame. When the second frame has been positioned, the cornice member 14 may be mounted upon the upper edge of said intermediate frame substantially as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, i. e., with the frame extending into and engaging the longitudinal pocket 15 provided therefore in the cor nice member. The cornice members 14 are mounted between adjacent pilasters and substantially abut the wall of each pilaster. The upper frame 11 may now be-mounted upon and within the recess in the cover plate 17 of the cornice member. Since the recess of the plate 17 is of he same dimension as the recesses 22 in the pilasters, the bottom edge of this frame may in the plate and by applying pressure to the upper portion thereof may be moved into true alignment with the pilasters.

The filler member 25, which is adapted to adjustably fill the space between the upper rail of the frame 11 and the ceiling, may now be mounted. It will be noted that the movable member 26 of the filler member is provided with a ribbed portion at its lower face which is adapted to be engaged within and between the flanged side walls of the frame 11. Since the filler member is normally ex tended, it is first necessary to collapse it, i. e., force the member 26 into telescopic engagement with the fixed member 27, against the action of the spring 28. The collapsed member is then brought into position between the pilasters in vertical alignment with the frame 11 and upon releasing the filler member, the springs 28 will cause the element 27 to engage the ceiling and the element 26 to engage the frame 11 within the opening provided therefore. .As-above pointed out, the movable member 26 is of a length equal to the distance between the base walls ofthe recesses in adjoining pilasters and the member 2715 equal to the distance between the most 1nwardly extended portions of the pilasters.

Because of this structure, the movable memd ber 26 is held in a manner similar to that used in securing the frames by means of the walls of the recesses 22. 7

When the partition is adapted to engage one or more side walls, a filler member 25 15 provided. This filler member is substantial- 1y identical in construction to the filler mem-, ber' 25, having its member 27 abutting the side wall and its member 26 mounted to be engaged within the recess 22 of the pilaster. In order to complete the assembly of the partition made in accordance with this invention, it remains necessary to locate the face plates 19 u on each pilaster. This is acy simply planing the plate in be placed within the recess cornice members, are secured in position against the open side of the fixed member 18 and forcing it into the osition such that the clips 21 thereof enter t e fixed member 18 and engage the flanges 20 thereof.

Through the use of the cover plates 19, the frame members 11 and filler members 25 and 25' are rigidly secured. This is obvious since the ends of said plate, when in position, form the third wall of the recesses 22 provided in each face of the pilaster. In order that the joint between the filler member and pilaster be concealed, a plate 29 is provided which is of greater width than said pilaster. This plate is positioned and secured to the pilaster by means of the clip 30 which is brought into engagement with the flange 34 formed in the pilaster. The joints between the cornice members 14 and the pilasters are likewise concealed by means of pilaster caps. The caps' which conform in contour to the shape of the a manner identical to that used to secure the plates 29 above described and shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing.

To disassemble a partition embodying this construction the exact reverse order to that of assembling is followed and the entire partition may be dismantled. Attention is directed to the fact that partitions constructed in accordance with this invention obviate the necessity of providing clips, bolts, etc., whereby to be supported and therefore the removal thereof will not cause unsightly marks or blemishes to appear in the walls.

While only one modification of this invention has been described and shown, applicant does not intend to be limited thereto since it is obvious that other modifications and adaptations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thisinvention as set forth in the following claims.

Having thus set forth my invention, what claim is new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:

1. A removable partition construction for buildings com rising a pilaster, frames and panels, means orming a part of said pilaster or removably mounting said frames and panels thereon, means comprising a plate, bolt, and spring mechanism adapted to yieldably support said pilaster in its aligned position whereby any expansion or contractionin the ilaster, due to'varying temperatures, will 9 compensated for by said supporting means.-

2. In a removable partition construction for buildings, a pilaster, filler members, frames and panels, a removable faceplate forming a part of each of said pilasters, said plate being adapted to removably secure said frames and panels in alignment with said pilasters, yieldable means formin a part of each of said pilasters and adapte to retain said filler members in engagement with said frames and said pilasters, and means located within each of said pilasters, said means yieldably. supporting said pilaster in aligned position.

3. In a removable partition for buildings, a pilaster, cornice and filler members, frames and panels, a removable face plate forming part of said pilaster and adapted to retain the frames and panels in engagement therewith, said cornice members having upper and lower longitudinal channels formed therein by which they are mounted between vertically adjacent frames, said filler member being provided with a pressure element adapted to yieldably retain said filler member in alignment with said frames and said pilaster, and adjustable means within said pilaster, said means yieldably supporting said pilaster in its aligned position.

4. A removable partition construction for buildings comprising pilasters, cornice and filler members, frames and panels, pilaster caps and plates, a removable face plate forming part of each of said pilasters securing said frames and panels in alignment therewith, longitudinal channels formed in said cornice members and adapted to align vertically adjacent frames, said filler member being provided with a ressure element ada ted to yieldably retain said cornice mem rs in alignment with said frames and said pilasters, said pilaster caps and plates each being provided with clips adapted to engage flanges ormed in the walls of the pilasters and ad justable means forming a part of each of construction for buildings comprising pilasters, frames removably mounted between adjacent pilasters, filler members comprising telescoping elements mounted between said frames and said ceiling, and yieldable means contained within and supporting each of said pilasters between the floor and said ceiling, said means comprising fixed and movable plates, a bolt supporting said movable plate, a spring mounted upon said fixed plate and supporting said bolt and said movable plate whereby as said bolt is rotated said movable plate is brought into yieldable engagement with said ceiling.

6. A removable ceiling height partition construction for buildin s comprising supporting and panel mem ers, means removably mounting said panel members with relation to said supuportin members and a further means wit n and yieldably securing said sup orting members in position of use,

said furt er means com rising fixed and movable plates contained within each of said supable plate, a spring encircling said bolt, said spring being mounted upon said fixed plate to support said bolt and said movable plate whereby rotation of said bolt causes said movable plate to move into yieldable engagement with said ceiling and retain said supporting member in place.

7 A removable ceiling height partition construction for buildings comprising pilasters, framesremovably mounted between adjacent pilasters, and means adapted .to yieldably secure said pilasters in position of use, said means being contained walls forming each of the pilasters and comprising fixed and movable plates, said movable plate having flanges by which to engage the walls of said pilaster, a bolt supporting said movable plate, a spring encircling said bolt, said spring being mounted upon said fixed plate to support said bolt and said movable plate whereby rotation oi'E said bolt causes said movable plate to yieldably engage said ceiling and secure said pilaster in place regardless of? any expansion or contraction in the pilaster caused by varying temperatures.

within the our 8. A removable ceiling height partition construction for buildings comprising pilasters, frames removably mounted between adjacent pilasters, filler members closing the space between said frames and said ceiling, said filler members being comprised of telescoping elements, the inner element being inter-engaged with said frame and the outer element with said ceiling.

9. A removable ceiling height partition construction for buildings comprising pilasters, frames removably mounted between ad'- jacent pilasters, filler members closing the space between said partition and one of the building walls, said filler members being comprised of telescoping elements, the inner element of which interengages said frame, the outer element of which abuts said ceiling and means forming a part of eachpilaster engaging and securing said filler members in position,,-

In testimony whereof I have a-fiixed my signature CHARLES J. SWANSON. 

